"The National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced today a new All-Star Game format for NBA All-Star 2018 in Los Angeles. This will mark the NBA’s first All-Star Game without a matchup between the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. [...]

"TNT will reveal the All-Star Game starters and captains on Thursday, Jan. 18 and unveil the reserves on Tuesday, Jan. 23. NBA All-Star Voting 2018 presented by Verizon will tip off on Monday, Dec. 25 before five Christmas Day games across ESPN, ABC and TNT."

-NBA Press Release

One of my favorite times of the NBA season is NBA All-Star Weekend. What I love the most about All-Star weekend in general is that it's a lot more interactive than any other time of year and that it's a good little break away from the routine hustle of regular season. Recently the NBA published a press release about some changes to the 2018 NBA All-Star game and how it's being formatted. Hopefully, this new format will result in a better, more versatile All-Star game experience, and bring that competitive edge back, since there has an imaginary a snooze button on the games played the past couple of years.

Plus, there is nothing wrong with spicing thing up a little (and, for the record, I wrote this post before I heard Steph Curry say it in a press conference).

#1. Scheming and dreaming

NBA preseason is looking good for a lot of teams and the coaches are probably scoping the scene, making mental notes, and watching for players that shine the most, already scheming and dreaming in their heads.

Even the players likely have at least 3 prospects pre-drafted in their heads, especially team leaders like Lebron James, who has pretty much been able to pick and choose who he wants to play along side him as is.

#2. Picturing the possibilities

It's always better to have options. The coaches are now given more free reign and a larger pool of players to pull from. The teams are now being drafted from players who have been voted as starters and reserves, regardless of conference. Although I do like the East vs. West standard that I'm used to, it could be interesting to see the shift.

#3. Not fixing what isn't broken

The process for selecting is the same as far as who has the voting rights. Fans will still be given the opportunity

to vote for the 10 starters like they have in previous years, counting for 25% of overall vote and giving the remaining 25% to NBA/basketball media. Coaches will then select 14 reserves.

#4. Playing fair

This new format is essentially a televised version of old school pick up games, similar to playground basketball. Any dream trades didn't fall through? The players might get a chance to live out their fantasies and choose the players they've never had an opportunity to work alongside on the court. I think it's dope idea. I do know one thing; it'll be interesting to see what happens if Russell Westbrook lands no.1 spot as captain. They're probably not going to let King Petty Westbrook be a captain - too risky - but that's good too, because maybe that'll increase the chances of him and Durant playing together again.

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